A volleyball legend in Nebraska will take the stage at Omaha’s Orpheum Theater this week as the celebrity guest on NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” live show with Nebraska Public Media.
John Cook, former head coach of the Nebraska volleyball team and current co-owner and general manager of the Omaha Supernovas, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday as part of the show.
Cook joined the Omaha Supernovas last August following his retirement as head coach of Nebraska volleyball, where he led the program to four national championships in 25 seasons. In his first season as GM of the Supernovas last year, Cook built a squad that reached the MLV Playoffs for the third consecutive season and advanced to the franchise’s second MLV Championship appearance in three seasons.
Ahead of the 2027 season, Cook hired Omaha Head Coach Chris McGown and orchestrated a free agency period that saw the Supernovas welcome back the most returners in franchise history, sign established international talent and add one of America’s top young setters.
“Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” is a Peabody Award-winning comedy news quiz show making its return to Nebraska for the first time in over a decade. Host Peter Sagal and Scorekeeper Alzo Slade will lead a rotating panel of comedians, writers, listener contestants and a celebrity guest through a fast-paced review of the week’s news.
Each week, the show is recorded before a live audience. Attendees at the live shows hear the jokes, commentary and conversations before the show is edited for broadcast, offering a unique, behind-the-scenes experience unavailable to radio and podcast listeners.
“Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” regularly airs at 9 a.m. Central time on Saturdays and 10 a.m. Central on Sundays on Nebraska Public Media’s radio network, and wherever you get your podcasts.
The episode recorded in Omaha is scheduled to premiere Saturday.
Tickets for the event can be purchased on Ticket Omaha’s website.